A highly active non-precious transition metal catalyst for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formates.

Herein a highly active non-precious transition metal catalyst system for homogeneous hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formate is presented. The application of selected nickel(ii) salts in combination with tailored multidentate ligands enabled the effective transformation of carbon dioxide with an exceptional TON of up to 4.65 × 106. This unprecedented productivity based on the novel nickel catalyst not only outmatches that of existing systems containing first row transition metals, but also established catalysts based on precious transition metals.